The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture has scheduled a series of open house meetings to present this year's gypsy moth aerial treatment plans. The meetings will be held March 13 in Viroqua, March 14 in Menomonie, and March 15 in Ladysmith.

"The gypsy moth is a serious invasive pest that threatens our forests and urban trees," said Christopher Foelker, manager of DATCP's gypsy moth program. "It can have a negative impact on Wisconsin's timber, paper, nursery and tourism industries."

Between May and early August, DATCP plans to treat selected areas in western Wisconsin using low-flying planes. Approximately 170,700 acres at 51 sites in 18 counties are scheduled for treatment after the areas have been identified as having increasing
populations of gypsy moth, a destructive non-native insect with an appetite for hundreds of different species of trees and shrubs.

Gypsy moth program staff will present information regarding treatment plans at these sessions. Attendees will have the opportunity to speak with staff, learn more about the gypsy moth, and view maps of treatment areas.